A Cook’s Tour

A Cook’s Tour by Anthony Bourdain is the erstwhile chef’s tome written in the wake of traveling the world for, ostensibly, the perfect meal. All this with publishers and television producers footing the bill – nice work if you can get it. Bourdain’s witty, biting, funny, cranky voice makes these travels worth taking with him as he debunks common erroneous perceptions of Vietnam, gets blitzed on Vodka in Russia, and submits another love letter to Japan and its exquisitely fresh seafood – just to name a few. The tiny history lessons Bourdain supplies as background are fascinating and make me ashamed for not already knowing more about these countries. An enjoyable read, like taking a trip with a good friend–except Bourdain hogged all the good eats.